GradEssentials is a university-wide initiative designed to support graduate student success by connecting students with essential resources and opportunities across three core themes: Academic Excellence, Career Exploration & Development, and Personal Health & Well-Being.
Whether you’re beginning your graduate program, exploring professional pathways, or balancing academic goals with personal responsibilities, GradEssentials helps you navigate your journey with clarity and confidence.
MU Engage note: Some links below may require you to sign in. If prompted, sign in with your Mizzou credentials, then return to this email and select the link again.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Registration Is Open
Could you explain your dissertation research in just three minutes? Doctoral candidates with a D-3 on file are invited to participate in Mizzou’s 2026 Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition. Registration is now open. Want to learn more first? Join us for an upcoming information session to hear how the competition works and what to expect.
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Workshops
Sept. 14–25 | 5–6:30 p.m. | Grad Hub
Submissions for NSF-GRF proposals are now open! Deadlines vary by discipline, beginning in mid-October. Join the Graduate School, Office of Undergraduate Research, and Office of Global and National Fellowships for the Sprint to the Finish writing workshops, every weekday evening Sept. 14-25, to prepare your application.
New to seeking external funding? The Scholarly Impact Series offers two September sessions to help graduate students and postdocs find funding opportunities and take the next steps toward developing a proposal.
(Online) Grants 101: Finding Funding that Fits Your Work — Sept. 2, noon–1 p.m. | Online
Intro to Grants for Grads and Postdocs: Finding Funding, Deciding and Planning to Apply — Sept. 8, 2–4 p.m. | Grad Hub
Start with Grants 101 for an introduction to finding opportunities, then dig deeper in the interactive Sept. 8 workshop to evaluate funding opportunities and begin planning your proposal.
Whether you're new to Mizzou or want to make better use of the Libraries, start with a graduate-student introduction and then build your research skills with workshops throughout September.
Grad Student Introduction to Mizzou Libraries — Sept. 2, 3–3:45 p.m. | Online
Grad Student Introduction to Mizzou Libraries — Sept. 3, noon–12:45 p.m. | Online
The Literature Review — Sept. 15, 1–2 p.m.
Introduction to TDM Studio: A Text and Data Mining Platform — Sept. 16, 2–3 p.m.
The Writing Center offers free one-on-one writing support for graduate students, in person or on Zoom, for everything from coursework and proposals to application materials, theses, and dissertations. Prefer written feedback? Submit a draft anytime through the Online Writery.
Need dedicated time to write? The Writing Center’s GradsWork drop-in sessions provide space to work alongside other graduate students, while six-week GradsWrite groups offer a more structured, facilitated approach for students working on extended projects.
Meet with on- and off-campus employers hiring Mizzou students for part-time positions. Bring your student ID; copies of your résumé and class schedule are encouraged. Graduate Student Career Services will also be on hand to provide career support and help with Handshake.
Thinking about what comes after graduate school? Graduate career coaches offer free one-on-one support on career exploration, resumes and CVs, job-search strategies, interviewing, and other career-related topics. Appointments are available in person or on Zoom through MU Connect.
Get ready for the job search with two back-to-back workshops from the graduate career coaches. Join us for Preparing for the Job Market at 1 p.m., followed by Finding and Evaluating Jobs at 2 p.m. Graduate students from all disciplines are welcome.
Beyond the Professoriate gives Mizzou graduate students access to career training, resources, and webinars designed specifically for advanced-degree job seekers. This month, explore How to Use the PhD Career Training Platform in Your Job Search on Sept. 2 and Is a Faculty Job Right for You? on Sept. 16. Both webinars begin at 11 a.m. and are offered online.
Can’t attend live? Webinar recordings are posted to the platform to watch on your own time.
Interested in exploring careers beyond academia? Alternative Career Exploration in the Sciences (ACES) is the best place to do that! Join us to meet the team, grab some tacos, play some games, win prizes and learn more about the career paths waiting for you, plus the events we have planned to help you invest in your future! Food provided.
Stop by the Grad Hub Open House on Sept. 10 from noon–2 p.m. in 111F Townsend Hall. Explore the space, meet other graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, connect with Graduate School staff and campus partners, and discover programs, resources, and events available throughout the year. New and returning graduate students and postdocs are welcome.
Looking for an excuse to read something that isn't assigned for class or related to your research? Join the Mizzou Libraries Reading Challenge and make a little room for reading for fun this semester.
The Graduate Professional Council (GPC) represents the interests of Mizzou graduate and professional students and provides opportunities to connect with peers, get involved in campus initiatives, and have a voice in the graduate student experience.
Bring a project you're working on and make progress in a more mindful way. Mindful GradsWrite sessions combine mindfulness practice and writing strategies with dedicated, gently guided writing time to help you reduce stress, improve focus, and get your work done.
Get oriented to library services, spaces, and research support, including accessing resources via Discover@MU. Understand range of services offered by Mizzou Libraries Know how to reserve an individual or group study room Know the purpose of Discover@MU Know how to use Findit@MU
Starting a job search as a PhD can feel overwhelming — especially when most job searches take 6+ months to explore career options, build a network, and apply strategically to positions. Knowing where to begin makes a significant difference in how prepared and focused you are throughout the process.
So what can you do today to set yourself up for a successful job search?
In this webinar, you will learn how to make the most of the PhD Career Training Platform. Access to this platform means you have a research-informed toolkit designed specifically to support doctoral students and postdocs in both academic and nonacademic job searches — so you can move forward with a clear strategy from day one.
This webinar is designed for doctoral students, PhDs, and postdocs who are wondering:
How do I get started on the PhD Career Training Platform? What resources are available to support my academic or nonacademic job search? How long does a job search typically take, and what should I be doing right now?
Register to attend: https://institutions.beyondprof.com/webinar-how-to-use-platform/
Get oriented to library services, spaces, and research support, including accessing resources via Discover@MU. Understand range of services offered by Mizzou Libraries Know how to reserve an individual or group study room Know the purpose of Discover@MU Know how to use Findit@MU
Starting a job search can feel overwhelming, but having a clear roadmap makes all the difference. This workshop introduces graduate students to the essential steps of preparing for the job market: clarifying your professional goals, exploring career paths, and planning your academic or industry search. You’ll leave with practical tools and a checklist of next steps to confidently launch your job search.
This workshop is part of the Career Series offered by Graduate Student Career Services, focused on career fundamentals. Grad students and postdocs from all disciplines are welcome to attend!
In this workshop, you’ll gain valuable insights into the job search process, including how to find relevant job opportunities, analyze job postings, evaluate potential jobs and employers, and balance your job search with your graduate studies. Whether you're actively job searching or preparing for the future, this workshop will empower you with skills and strategies needed for a successful job search.
This workshop is part of the Career Series offered by Graduate Student Career Services, focused on career fundamentals. Grad students and postdocs from all disciplines are welcome to attend!
Session 2: How Can I Identify a Graduate Program for My Needs? Choosing a graduate program can feel overwhelming, but this session will help you learn what to look for and how to narrow down your options. We’ll discuss how to connect your career goals with the right type of graduate degree and how to evaluate programs based on areas such as faculty interests, program focus, funding opportunities, student support resources, and overall fit.
You’ll also learn strategies for researching programs effectively and building a timeline that can strengthen your chances of being admitted to graduate school.
This session is especially helpful for juniors and seniors who are beginning to explore specific graduate programs or career pathways.
While this session is designed with undergraduate students in mind, anyone interested in learning more about graduate school is welcome to attend.
S.T.A.R.-eligible event (Office of Undergraduate Research)
Grad School 101 Series Session 1: What Is Grad School, and Is It for Me? Session 2: How Do I Find a Graduate Program That Fits My Goals? Session 3: How Do I Put Together a Strong Graduate School Application? Session 4: Graduate Student Panel
Registration Information Registration is required. Students who do not register may still attend if space is available on the day of the event.
This session will be held only if at least one student is registered 24 hours before the event. If no students are registered by that time, the session will be canceled.
The Grad School 101 Series is offered three times each semester. Sessions 1–3 are offered each time, and Session 4 is offered twice per semester. One version of the series is offered online.
These groups will meet for 90 minutes with about 20 minutes of mindfulness practice and writing tips, followed by 60 minutes of gently guided writing on participants’ own projects. Writers can expect to gain mindful strategies to reduce stress, improve focus, and efficiently complete your work.
This is an in-person workshop for graduate students and postdocs who are just beginning their external funding journey. It dives just a bit deeper into applying your new funding search knowledge than the online Grants 101 lecture. Scholars will learn strategies for seeking funding, tools for deciding whether an opportunity is the right fit for them, and begin drafting writing plans and logic models for their proposed projects.
Interested in exploring careers beyond academia? Alternative Career Exploration in the Sciences (ACES) is the best place to do that! Join us to meet the team, grab some tacos, play some games, win prizes and learn more about the career paths waiting for you, plus the events we have planned to help you invest in your future!
GradsWrite is a structured, weekly writing group led by a Writing Center facilitator. Wednesday mid-mornings will be hosted by Bailey!
We'll ask you to share your writing goals, cheer on others' progress & receive cheers for yours, receive resources, share challenges & advice, but mainly we'll ask you to spend most of our 2 hours together writing towards your goals with the support of your writing community.
By registering for the first weekly meeting, you will be automatically registered into the remaining weekly meetings for the spring semester.
Learn about MU's 2026-27 GRFP Sprint, a two-week, in-person (September 14-25), intensive workshop that will help you draft or polish your application essays for the National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
Start the semester by stopping by the Graduate Resource and Development Hub (Grad Hub). Whether you're new to Mizzou or returning for another year, this is a great opportunity to explore the space, meet fellow graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, connect with Graduate School staff and campus partners, and learn about the programs, resources, and events available throughout the year.
Enjoy a complimentary lunch while you visit, and discover how the Grad Hub can support your academic, professional, and personal success.
This is a drop-in event—stop by anytime between 12:00 and 2:00 p.m. Lunch will be available while supplies last.
GradsWrite is a structured, weekly writing group led by a Writing Center facilitator. Thursday evenings will be facilitated by Mary!
We'll ask you to share your writing goals, cheer on others' progress & receive cheers for yours, receive resources, share challenges & advice, but mainly we'll ask you to spend most of our 2 hours together writing towards your goals with the support of your writing community.
By registering for the first weekly meeting, you will be automatically registered into the remaining weekly meetings for the fall semester.
Teaching assistants are often among the first people students turn to when they are struggling academically, emotionally, or personally. This panel session will introduce the campus offices and resources that support student success, including services for mental health, disability accommodations, academic support, student well-being, and concerning behavior. Participants will learn how to recognize situations that warrant a referral and understand the TA's role and responsibilities. At the end of the session, participants will have an opportunity to ask panelists questions.
Drop-In Writing/Working Space for Grad Students Separate from GradsWrite, the Writing Center, in collaboration with the MU Graduate School, will host GradsWork sessions: open to any graduate student at Mizzou, working on any project, for whom a quiet space to work in community with other graduate students would be helpful. Coffee & snacks provided.
What they are: GradsWork Sessions are quiet spaces to bring current works in progress and to work in community with other graduate writers. We will invite participants to share goals at the beginning of the session, then work quietly and independently for the duration of the session. We will invite participants to report progress and/or future goals at the end of the session. All writers and all projects are welcome.
No registration necessary. Please feel free to drop-in!
Please note: GradsWork sessions are quiet spaces to work in community with other graduate writers; no general writing instruction will be provided at the sessions.
GradsWrite is a structured, weekly writing group led by a Writing Center facilitator. Sunday mornings will be with Reid!
We'll ask you to share your writing goals, cheer on others' progress & receive cheers for yours, receive resources, share challenges & advice, but mainly we'll ask you to spend most of our 2 hours together writing towards your goals with the support of your writing community.
By registering for the first weekly meeting, you will be automatically registered into the remaining weekly meetings for the spring semester.
Drop-In Writing/Working Space for Grad Students Separate from GradsWrite, the Writing Center, in collaboration with the MU Graduate School, will host weekly drop-in work sessions on Monday evenings for fall 2026. These sessions are open to any graduate student at Mizzou, working on any project, for whom a quiet space to work in community with other graduate students would be helpful. Coffee & snacks provided.
What they are: GradsWork Sessions are quiet spaces to bring current works in progress and to work in community with other graduate writers. We will invite participants to share goals at the beginning of the session, then work quietly and independently for the duration of the session. We will invite participants to report progress and/or future goals at the end of the session. All writers and all projects are welcome.
No registration necessary. Please feel free to drop-in!
Please note: GradsWork sessions are quiet spaces to work in community with other graduate writers; no general writing instruction will be provided at the sessions.
These groups will meet for 90 minutes with about 20 minutes of mindfulness practice and writing tips, followed by 60 minutes of gently guided writing on participants’ own projects. Writers can expect to gain mindful strategies to reduce stress, improve focus, and efficiently complete your work.
Explore the world of literature reviews through this hands-on workshop highlighting different types of reviews, the process involved in creating each one, and an overview of best practices. Interactive searching and writing activities will give you the practical skills and resources needed to structure literature reviews for your discipline, while saving you time and effort.
GradsWrite is a structured, weekly writing group led by a Writing Center facilitator. Wednesday mid-mornings will be hosted by Bailey!
We'll ask you to share your writing goals, cheer on others' progress & receive cheers for yours, receive resources, share challenges & advice, but mainly we'll ask you to spend most of our 2 hours together writing towards your goals with the support of your writing community.
By registering for the first weekly meeting, you will be automatically registered into the remaining weekly meetings for the spring semester.
Many doctoral students and postdocs enter their PhD program with the goal of becoming a university professor. But today’s academic job market is highly competitive, and a tenure-track role may not be the right fit for everyone. As your values, life circumstances, and career goals evolve, it is important to reassess what career paths align with your personal and professional needs.
So how do you decide if a faculty job is right for you?
Join the Beyond Prof team for this webinar where we’ll walk you through the key factors to consider as you evaluate whether a faculty career is the right path for you. PhDs are building careers in a wide range of roles — both within and beyond academia — and understanding your options is an important first step.
This webinar is designed for doctoral students, PhDs, and postdocs from all academic disciplines who are wondering:
How do I know if pursuing a faculty position is the right choice for me? How long should I stay on the academic job market? What are my options if I decide not to pursue a tenure-track path?
Register to attend: https://institutions.beyondprof.com/webinar-faculty-job-right-for-you/
Successful teaching partnerships are built on clear communication, mutual understanding, and proactive collaboration. This workshop helps TAs, GIs, and postdocs develop strategies for effectively working with supervising faculty by clarifying expectations, communicating progress and challenges, navigating differences in working styles, and addressing concerns respectfully. Through discussion and practical scenarios, participants will learn how to build productive faculty relationships, reduce misunderstandings, and contribute to a constructive mentoring relationship.
This info session is intended for current Mizzou doctoral candidates who have met doctoral candidacy requirements and have a D-3 on file.
Interested in participating in the Mizzou Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition? Join us to learn about the competition, participation requirements, preparation opportunities, awards, and how to apply. Bring your questions!
GradsWrite is a structured, weekly writing group led by a Writing Center facilitator. Sunday mornings will be with Reid!
We'll ask you to share your writing goals, cheer on others' progress & receive cheers for yours, receive resources, share challenges & advice, but mainly we'll ask you to spend most of our 2 hours together writing towards your goals with the support of your writing community.
By registering for the first weekly meeting, you will be automatically registered into the remaining weekly meetings for the spring semester.
Drop-In Writing/Working Space for Grad Students Separate from GradsWrite, the Writing Center, in collaboration with the MU Graduate School, will host weekly drop-in work sessions on Monday evenings for fall 2026. These sessions are open to any graduate student at Mizzou, working on any project, for whom a quiet space to work in community with other graduate students would be helpful. Coffee & snacks provided.
What they are: GradsWork Sessions are quiet spaces to bring current works in progress and to work in community with other graduate writers. We will invite participants to share goals at the beginning of the session, then work quietly and independently for the duration of the session. We will invite participants to report progress and/or future goals at the end of the session. All writers and all projects are welcome.
No registration necessary. Please feel free to drop-in!
Please note: GradsWork sessions are quiet spaces to work in community with other graduate writers; no general writing instruction will be provided at the sessions.
These groups will meet for 90 minutes with about 20 minutes of mindfulness practice and writing tips, followed by 60 minutes of gently guided writing on participants’ own projects. Writers can expect to gain mindful strategies to reduce stress, improve focus, and efficiently complete your work.
Session 4: Graduate Student Panel Hear directly from current graduate students about their experiences applying to and navigating graduate school. Panelists will discuss how they chose their programs, what surprised them about the application process, what they wish they had known earlier, and advice they would give to students considering graduate education.
This session offers students an opportunity to ask questions and gain insight from people who have recently gone through the process themselves.
This session is especially helpful for juniors and seniors who are actively exploring or preparing graduate school applications, particularly those who attended Sessions 2 and 3.
While this session is designed with undergraduate students in mind, anyone interested in learning more about graduate school is welcome to attend.
S.T.A.R.-eligible event (Office of Undergraduate Research)
Grad School 101 Series Session 1: What Is Grad School, and Is It for Me? Session 2: How Do I Find a Graduate Program That Fits My Goals? Session 3: How Do I Put Together a Strong Graduate School Application? Session 4: Graduate Student Panel
Registration Information Registration is required. Students who do not register may still attend if space is available on the day of the event.
This session will be held only if at least one student is registered 24 hours before the event. If no students are registered by that time, the session will be canceled.
The Grad School 101 Series is offered three times each semester. Sessions 1–3 are offered each time, and Session 4 is offered twice per semester. One version of the series is offered online.
GradsWrite is a structured, weekly writing group led by a Writing Center facilitator. Wednesday mid-mornings will be hosted by Bailey!
We'll ask you to share your writing goals, cheer on others' progress & receive cheers for yours, receive resources, share challenges & advice, but mainly we'll ask you to spend most of our 2 hours together writing towards your goals with the support of your writing community.
By registering for the first weekly meeting, you will be automatically registered into the remaining weekly meetings for the spring semester.
GradsWrite is a structured, weekly writing group led by a Writing Center facilitator. Thursday evenings will be facilitated by Mary!
We'll ask you to share your writing goals, cheer on others' progress & receive cheers for yours, receive resources, share challenges & advice, but mainly we'll ask you to spend most of our 2 hours together writing towards your goals with the support of your writing community.
By registering for the first weekly meeting, you will be automatically registered into the remaining weekly meetings for the fall semester.
Productive discussions don’t just happen—they’re facilitated with intention. This workshop equips TAs with practical strategies to lead engaging discussions across disciplines and formats. We’ll cover techniques for asking effective questions as well as navigating common challenges like silence, dominant voices, or disengaged students. Whether you're facilitating discussion or recitation sections or online forums, you'll leave with tools to foster meaningful dialogue and active learning.
GradsWrite is a structured, weekly writing group led by a Writing Center facilitator. Sunday mornings will be with Reid!
We'll ask you to share your writing goals, cheer on others' progress & receive cheers for yours, receive resources, share challenges & advice, but mainly we'll ask you to spend most of our 2 hours together writing towards your goals with the support of your writing community.
By registering for the first weekly meeting, you will be automatically registered into the remaining weekly meetings for the spring semester.
Drop-In Writing/Working Space for Grad Students Separate from GradsWrite, the Writing Center, in collaboration with the MU Graduate School, will host weekly drop-in work sessions on Monday evenings for fall 2026. These sessions are open to any graduate student at Mizzou, working on any project, for whom a quiet space to work in community with other graduate students would be helpful. Coffee & snacks provided.
What they are: GradsWork Sessions are quiet spaces to bring current works in progress and to work in community with other graduate writers. We will invite participants to share goals at the beginning of the session, then work quietly and independently for the duration of the session. We will invite participants to report progress and/or future goals at the end of the session. All writers and all projects are welcome.
No registration necessary. Please feel free to drop-in!
Please note: GradsWork sessions are quiet spaces to work in community with other graduate writers; no general writing instruction will be provided at the sessions.
These groups will meet for 90 minutes with about 20 minutes of mindfulness practice and writing tips, followed by 60 minutes of gently guided writing on participants’ own projects. Writers can expect to gain mindful strategies to reduce stress, improve focus, and efficiently complete your work.
GradsWrite is a structured, weekly writing group led by a Writing Center facilitator. Wednesday mid-mornings will be hosted by Bailey!
We'll ask you to share your writing goals, cheer on others' progress & receive cheers for yours, receive resources, share challenges & advice, but mainly we'll ask you to spend most of our 2 hours together writing towards your goals with the support of your writing community.
By registering for the first weekly meeting, you will be automatically registered into the remaining weekly meetings for the spring semester.